Pope Francis, the first Latin American leader of the Roman Catholic Church, has died, the Vatican said in a video statement on Monday (April 21), ending an often turbulent reign marked by division and tension as he sought to overhaul the hidebound institution.

He was 88, and had survived a serious bout of double pneumonia.

READ: Pope Francis, beloved ‘Lolo Kiko’ to Filipinos, has passed away

A day before he died, he appeared on the balcony overlooking Saint Peter's Square on Easter Sunday (April 20) to deliver a special blessing called "Urbi et Orbi" (to the city and the world).

He also held a private meeting at the Vatican that morning with U.S. Vice President JD Vance.

Vance, a Catholic who has clashed with the pontiff over the Trump administration's immigration policies, met Francis at his Vatican residence to exchange Easter greetings, the statement said.

(Production: Millie McCaughan)